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Vanderbilt Football: Can Ke’Shawn Vaughn lead Commodores to bowl?

By John Scimeca

FAYETTEVILLE, AR - OCTOBER 27: Ke'Shawn Vaughn #5 of the Vanderbilt Commodores runs the ball and stiff arms Kamren Curl #2 of the Arkansas Razorbacks in the second half at Razorback Stadium on October 27, 2018 in Fayetteville, Arkansas. The Commodores defeated the Razorbacks 45-31. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
FAYETTEVILLE, AR - OCTOBER 27: Ke'Shawn Vaughn #5 of the Vanderbilt Commodores runs the ball and stiff arms Kamren Curl #2 of the Arkansas Razorbacks in the second half at Razorback Stadium on October 27, 2018 in Fayetteville, Arkansas. The Commodores defeated the Razorbacks 45-31. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images) /
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SOUTH BEND, IN – SEPTEMBER 15: Brandon Wimbush #7 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish is hit by Dimitri Moore #7 and Jordan Griffin #40 of the Vanderbilt Commodores at Notre Dame Stadium on September 15, 2018 in South Bend, Indiana. Notre Dame defeated Vanderbilt 22-17 (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
SOUTH BEND, IN – SEPTEMBER 15: Brandon Wimbush #7 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish is hit by Dimitri Moore #7 and Jordan Griffin #40 of the Vanderbilt Commodores at Notre Dame Stadium on September 15, 2018 in South Bend, Indiana. Notre Dame defeated Vanderbilt 22-17 (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /

Defense could be sneaky-good

At first glance, things don’t appear to be going well for a defense that just lost Joejuan Williams (a second-round draft pick of the New England Patriots) and Ladrius Wiley from its secondary. This defensive unit surrendered 438.9 yards per game, good for second-worst in the SEC behind Ole Miss.

Derek Mason believes that Vanderbilt has added significant depth, especially along the front. Daevion Davis is a much-ballyhooed recruit from Madison, Ala., who will challenge for playing time at defensive tackle. Junior Dontye Carriere-Williams, a transfer from Wisconsin, should get the starting nod at corner.

Add in talented sophomore linebackers such as Alston Orji and Dimitri Moore (team’s second leading tackler with 84 last year), and Vanderbilt could have an improved defense. Last year, the Commodores did manage to only give up 26.6 points per game, No. 60 in the nation. This was helped by a plus-eight turnover margin overall in 2018.

Special teams-wise, kicker Ryley Guay will try to improve upon a 13-for-22 performance in 2018, including three misses within 30 yards.

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